Synopses & Reviews
The first English translation and only edition in print of Bulgakov's diaries and lettersThe career of Mikhail Bulgakov, the author of Master and Margarita—now regarded as one of the masterpieces of 20th-century literature—was characterized by a constant and largely unsuccessful struggle against state censorship. This suppression did not only apply to his art: in 1926 his personal diary was seized by the authorities. From then on he confined his thoughts to letters to his friends and family, as well as to public figures such as Stalin and his fellow Soviet writer Gorky, while also encouraging his wife Yelena to keep a diary, with many entries influenced or even dictated by him. This selection from the diaries and letters of the Bulgakovs provides an insightful glimpse into a fascinating period of Russian history and literature, telling the tragic tale of the fate of an artist under a totalitarian regime.
Review
"Cockrell's translation and his additional material crackle and glow with Bulgakov's energy." —Bookslut
About the Author
Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) was a Russian writer and playwright whose works include The Master and Margarita, which has been hailed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Roger Cockrell has also translated Bulgakov's The Fatal Eggs and White Guard.